
technology
by Christopher Null
October 2009
Put one of these gadgets to work as your personal trainer.
You don’t have to wait until January 1 to get into shape. Why not start your workout regimen now, so when New Year’s rolls around, the only resolution you’ll have to make is to keep it up? These new gadgets will help you get the most out of your workout, whether that means running through the neighborhood or swimming laps in the hotel pool.
The Competitive Edge BC-1000 
The BC-1000 isn’t a scale, it’s a “body composition monitor” that can tell you your weight, body fat and hydration levels, all keyed to your body type and age. The scale doesn’t just rely on a tiny LCD—it transmits all the data on your daily weigh-ins to your computer, where it’s captured and analyzed by the company’s own Healthy Edge software.
$280, thecompetitiveedge.com Finis AquaPulse heart rate monitor 
The Finis AquaPulse, which attaches to your goggle strap and clips to your earlobe, communicates your heart rate audibly using bone-conduction technology (no earphone required) once per minute. If you need an instant reading, just punch a button, and the AquaPulse will tell you how you’re doing.
$140, finisinc.com
Finis Circuit Trainer

A good workout isn’t just about weights and reps. It’s also important that you rest between sets. The Finis Circuit Trainer is an advanced workout timer that lets you set exercise and rest times and the total number of sets you’d like to complete. Audible alerts let you know when you hit the halfway point and when your workout is done.
$180, finisinc.com Nike+iPod WatchRemote 
It can be difficult to read the small display on your watch while you’re running, which makes it tough to track mileage or calorie burn. The Nike+iPod WatchRemote solves this problem by sending voice feedback about your workout time, distance, pace and energy burn through your iPod. Working in conjunction with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit (sold separately, $29), the WatchRemote also works as an iPod remote control.
$69, nike.com Klipsch Image S4 headphones 
Your iPod is essential for getting you through that slog of a run, but standard earplugs are prone to fall out and can become uncomfortable. The Image S4 earbuds come from Klipsch—the same company that makes top-shelf speakers—and their angled design and soft sleeves make them comfortable to wear and keep them in place while you’re bouncing on rough terrain.
$80, klipsch.com
GoWear Fit 
The GoWear Fit is designed for more casual users, helping you track how many calories you burn throughout the day, whether you’re at the gym or in the laundry room. Just strap on the armband—it measures not just steps taken, but also your body temperature and other physiological characteristics—and go about your day. In the evening, plug the gadget into your PC for a detailed look at an entire day’s workout.
$250 (includes wrist display), plus $6.95/month subscription, gowearfit.com Oregon Scientific AnyWear 3-D pedometer 
Ordinary pedometers are fickle about how you wear them: Even if you clip one to your belt just so, its accuracy is questionable at best—plus, you’re a walking fashion disaster. Oregon Scientific’s AnyWear 3-D Pedometer solves all these problems handily: A three-dimensional accelerometer means steps are counted accurately, no matter how the gadget is oriented and in which direction you walk (down a hill, up stairs, backward).
$50, oregonscientific.com Tech4o TraiLeader Pro 
The built-in heart-rate monitor (chest strap required) is almost standard for watches of this class, but the TraiLeader Pro also includes an advanced distance mode that tracks how far you’ve run, your average and maximum speeds, and how many calories you’ve burned. After your trip, sync the watch with your PC to log your progress on your computer.
$200, tech40.com _________________________________________________

CHRISTOPHER NULL
is a technology writer who blogs for Yahoo! Tech.